WHO says swine flu deaths rise to nearly 5,000 worldwide

GENEVA — Nearly 5,000 people have reportedly died from swine flu since it emerged this year and developed into a global epidemic, the World Health Organization said Friday.

As Mexico secures this season’s swine flu shots, scientists search for a homegrown vaccine

MEXICO CITY — Grappling with low supplies of swine flu vaccines, President Felipe Calderon persuaded drug makers this week to sell him 30 million doses, while 1,000 Mexicans lined up for an experimental vaccine they hope can speed up supplies.

6 months after swine flu virus identified: No doomsday, but this story isn’t over yet

ATLANTA — It was six months ago that scientists discovered an ominous new flu virus, touching off fears of a catastrophic global outbreak that could cause people to drop dead in the streets. Doomsday, of course, never came to pass.

WHO says vaccine is best tool against swine flu even if it has a few minor side effects

GENEVA — Vaccine is the best tool against swine flu despite reports of a few minor side effects from the initial campaign in China, the World Health Organization said Monday.

Egypt’s top cleric plans ban on face veil at al-Azhar schools, says local media

CAIRO — Egypt’s top Islamic cleric is planning to ban students wearing the face veil from entering the schools of al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s premier institute of learning, according to an independent daily Monday.

Army reports first death from swine flu complications; soldier fell ill in SC basic training

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A 23-year-old soldier from Florida who was in basic training is the Army’s first death from complications of swine flu, officials said Thursday.

Report: If third of population catches swine flu, hospitals in 15 states could run out of room

WASHINGTON — If a third of people wind up catching swine flu, 15 states could run out of hospital beds around the time the outbreak peaks, a new report warns Thursday.

IMF raises 2010 global growth forecast to 3.1 percent but warns that recovery will be slow

ISTANBUL — The International Monetary Fund said the global economy is recovering faster than expected — but that governments should not be hasty in withdrawing the added spending and low interest rates that have helped restore growth.

After 92 years of sending troops overseas, mission remains but Fort Dix name is history

FORT DIX, N.J. — For 92 years, being sent abroad or brought home by the Army has often meant passing through the New Jersey installation known first as Camp Dix, then Fort Dix.

AP Interview: US troops to get mandatory swine flu shots soon; Deploying forces get priority

WASHINGTON — U.S. military troops will begin getting required swine flu shots in the next week to 10 days, with active duty forces deploying to war zones and other critical areas going to the front of the vaccine line, a top military commander said Tuesday.

British health authorities investigate as girl dies after receiving cervical cancer vaccine

LONDON — British health officials temporarily suspended a vaccination program in an English city Tuesday after a 14-year-old girl died a few hours after being vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer.

Want Tamiflu with that? Hospitals are using drive-thru ERs, tents, to treat swine flu cases

Fast-food places have them. Banks and pharmacies do, too. Now hospitals are opening drive-thrus and drive-up tent clinics to screen and treat a swelling tide of swine flu patients.

UAE lifts ban on bird imports

DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted a ban on the import of live birds from North America, Europe and other places, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.

Large number of devotees throng temples on Ramnavami

NEW DELHI/SURAT - Thousands of devotees visited the Jhandewalan temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Ram Navami, the ninth day of Navratri festival on Sunday.

Swine flu surges in Mexico, but large-scale school and stadium closings unlikely this time

MEXICO CITY — The next wave of swine flu has arrived, and Mexicans are bracing for an outbreak that may be even larger than the one here last spring that became a pandemic.

Army gives recruits olive-drab hand sanitizer bottles and coughing orders to fight flu threat

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — Soldiers in boot camp are getting something new this year besides rigorous basic training — Army-green bottles of hand sanitizer gel, part of a stepped-up effort by the military to ward off swine and seasonal flu.

UN asks for $1.5 billion to fight swine flu, but experts wonder whether it’s worth it

LONDON — United Nations health officials claim in a new report they need nearly $1.5 billion to prevent the swine flu epidemic from spiraling into a global catastrophe.

Despite calls for unity, Ahmadinejad, Gadhafi blast Security Council

UNITED NATIONS — On a day when the U.N. and many nations appealed for global unity, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Wednesday denounced what they called an unjust world dominated by five powers.

Survey: 75 pct of Mexicans unhappy with country, 33 pct would immigrate to US if they could

MEXICO CITY — Mexicans are overwhelmingly unhappy with the direction of their country, and one in three would immigrate to the United States if they could, a Pew Research Center survey said Wednesday.

Macy’s, AMD, Citigroup, New York Times, CarMax, VeriChip are among big market movers

NEW YORK — The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: